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More than 120 contact sheets selected by some seventy Magnum photographers or their estates: a definitive book on how the best photographs are created and edited.

Contact sheets unveil the story of what went into a photograph. Was it the outcome of what a photographer had in mind from the outset? Did it emerge from a diligently worked sequence? Was the right shot a matter of being in the right place at the right time? Here, for the first time, are the best contact sheets created by Magnum photographers. They reveal the creative methods, strategies, and editing processes used by some of the acknowledged greats of photography, from legends such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Elliott Erwitt to Magnum’s latest generation, including Jonas Bendiksen, Trent Parke, and Alec Soth.

Events, places, and people from over seventy years of history are contained in Magnum’s contact sheets, including the Normandy landings by Robert Capa, Che Guevara by Rene´ Burri, the Paris riots of 1968 by Bruno Barbey, Malcolm X by Eve Arnold, and New York street scenes by Bruce Gilden.

With supporting texts by the photographers or by those selected by the estates of deceased Magnum members, and ancillary material such as press cards, notebooks, and filed captions, this landmark publication provides a depth of understanding and a critical analysis of the backstory to a photograph. 250 full-color and 200 black-and-white photographs

$118.24
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“. . .a magnificent compendium of raw images from the photography cooperative.” (New York Times Book Review)

“A rare revelation.” (Arts and Antiques)

“Through these fascinating and usually private images, the exhibition celebrates what and how photographers saw for nearly a century. Coinciding with the publication of Magnum Contact Sheets (Thames & Hudson), edited by ICP Curator Kristen Lubben, the exhibition includes a selection of some of the 139 contact sheets in the book.” (NY City Official City Guide)

“This 500-page volume provides a peek at the process behind these photos, showing the shots taken before and after each standout and letting the photographers tell how they made their choices.” (Art+Auction)

“[This book]…offers unique insight into the working progress of the celebrated agency’s photographers over the past seven decades—their approach to taking and editing their pictures as well as their idiosyncratic relationships with the contact sheet.” (Time Magazine)

“Gives unprecedented access into the creative process of some of the world’s greatest photographers.” (Complex's Art + Design)

“…a magnificent compendium of raw images from the photography cooperative.” (The New York Times Book Review)

About the Author

Kristen Lubben is the Associate Curator at the International Center of Photography in New York. Her previous books include Susan Meiselas: In History and Amelia Earhart: Image and Icon.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I purchased this book in Feb. 2012 and have read the negative reviews regarding the condition that the book was shipping in from Amazon and also about the bad binding from the publisher. The book came in pretty good packaging but one corner of the book was slightly bent but the damage is so minimal that it does not affect the book nor the pages. As far as the binding; the book is very heavy so I would recommend viewing it on a flat surface and not on a bed,etc. I recorded a video of me opening the package just in case the book came all messed up but it didnt. The content of the book is amazing and a treat for photography nerds like myself.

The reproductions of the photographs in this book are of outstanding quality. This is an iconic book that will be highly sought after in the future. I would expect prices to skyrocket once it is out of print.

In my opinion, this is a book that every serious photographer, student of photography and connoisseur of fine photography books should own.

And now for the bad news: Due to a combination of marginal binding strength by Thames & Hudson and improper packing for shipment by Amazon, I had to return the book repeatedly to get an undamaged and/or non-defective copy. When copy #4 arrived, I at long last had an acceptable copy of this outstanding book. There are two threads on this book and the trials and tribulations associated with it at L-Camera-Forum (Google it).

I would rate the book at five stars (or an "A") for content and quality of photographic reproduction. However, in terms of the binding I would have to rate it at two stars (or a "D").

It is truly unfortunate that the marginal binding has flawed an iconic book that is in all other ways a masterpiece.

What an amazing book. It is an amazing source for any and all amateur photographer, photojournalist, or anyone wishing to know about the stories behind an image. I also own Magnum stories which is great, and I would highly recommend.

Unfortunately, there is a huge problem with this book. I've ordered it twice here on Amazon, and the other bookseller only to have to send it back. I don't know if it's the sheer weight of the book, improper packaging, or poor manufacturing, but both books had a detached spine. I actually considered going to my local paper source or bookbinder to have it fixed, but I shouldn't have to pay more money just to fix an obvious issue.

I would say order the book, but inspect it as you get it. Hopefully it was just a few bad batches, and you will be spared the disappointment of having to return it.

I bought this book, concerned about several prior reviews stating it arrived damage or that the binding was poor on the book. I was still going to get it. I really wanted to study it more than have it as a collector's piece.

I went to place my order and saw that Amazon had temporarily halted new orders of the book, pending review of reported problems. A couple days later the book was again available for order.

I placed my order and the book arrived extremely well packaged. The book was tightly wrapped in thin bubble wrap and tightly bound with tape. The wrapping worked to keep the book as a very solid piece and probably stopped the heavy pages from pulling and shifting against the binding during shipment.

fantastic bookBut sadly it arrived in very bad shape.The Bookcover is distroyed due poor and stupidbad packing.So buy this Book - Yes, but never ever via Amazon.comI know I m not the only One who have experiens like this,just look in the Leica Forum...Just get your Book from a serious Bookshop.

This is a wonderful read! As a photographer who studied and shot film way back in high school I understand just how personal and revealing it can be to look at contact sheets. You can see the thought proccess and the mistakes as well as some hidden gems looking at every one of a photographer's shots. And that is uncomfortable...

I love the Chè contact sheets, the story of the moment and the ability to review the iconic image... Extremely telling...

I can't believe, after looking at Henri Cartier-Bresson's contact sheets (or collections) that I would second guess HIS final choice, but I can see his thought proccess and I can learn from it!

I would give this book 5 stars except for one thing... I want to pull-out my loupe to look more carefully at these contact sheets, but that is difficult. Due to the newsprint DPI of the printing you can see the dots used in the printing proccess. It would be difficult and expensive to print the entire book photographically or in museum prints. So I understand WHY it has a visible DPI, but I still wish I could see the contact sheets in full res...

Yes, my book arrived slightly damaged. It wasn't the shipper's fault, I blame the carrier. The thing is, I'm not looking for a museum piece. My reason for buying this book is because I'm a photographer and I want to learn and be inspired by the best. When I got the book and unpacked it, I turned a few pages and checked the first image. Tears came to my eyes. I paged through in a haphazard manner and landed on various pages of raw history - unedited. It's simply amazing. Everything from a mother breast feeding her child during a propaganda rally to people in New Jersey sitting along the shore watching the burning World Trade Center. This book will give you an appreciation for photography. It will touch you emotionally and it will serve as inspiration to any photographer of any genre out there. I will treasure this book for years to come.